March 01, 2024

Buckeye nursing well-represented among award/grant recipients and featured presenters

The Ohio State University College of Nursing research community is well-represented at the 48th annual Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) conference this week, with several faculty members and students recognized as award winners, grant recipients and featured presenters.

The conference in Minneapolis comes on the heels of the college’s first-ever recognition as a top-10 college of nursing in grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Nearly 25 faculty and students from the Ohio State College of Nursing are showcasing their research covering a wide range of topics of relevance and value across the lifespan consistent with the conference’s theme of “Nursing Research in the Future: Exploring the Driving Forces.” Topics include social determinants of health, exploring ways to improve maternal health outcomes and providing strategies for caregivers of older parents with a common diagnosis like dementia.

In addition to the presentations, two distinguished faculty members and three students will be recognized at the event, receiving awards and grants for their contributions to nursing science.

Susie Breitenstein, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, professor and senior associate dean for research and innovation, receives the Family Health RIIG ‐ Distinguished Nurse Scientist Award. This award is given once every other year to recognize a nurse researcher with an established record of research in family health nursing.

Claire Han, PhD, DNP, RN, APRN-CNP, assistant professor at the college, receives the Symptom Science RIIG Research Publication Award. This award recognizes a Symptom Science RIIG member with an outstanding research publication related to symptom science.

Three doctoral students receive grants from MNRS designed to support their ongoing work: Nathaniel Albright receives the Founder's Circle Dissertation Grant, Laura Segovia receives the Step‐Up Dissertation Grant and Taylor Mullin receives the Health Dissertation Grant.

“Receiving this grant will help me research social determinants of health affecting HPV vaccination uptake among adolescents in the United States,” Mullin said. “It means the world to me to be able to pursue research that will enhance cancer prevention among vulnerable populations.”

Doctoral student Maggie Fitzpatrick received a third place award for her poster, “Relationship between parental support and mental health of youth experiencing homelessness,” a secondary analysis from a Housing First randomized trial that investigated the effect of parental support on depression among youth experiencing homelessness, considering potential gender differences.

“Our research faculty and students at the College of Nursing are second to none in their engagement, dedication and passion for advancing nursing science to shape the future of healthcare,” Breitenstein said. “We not only pursue new paths of research and discovery, but we also stand on the shoulders of the nurse scientists who have blazed trails before us to continue to pursue change for future generations of patients, families and clinicians.”

April 01, 2022

Event celebrates excellence in research, recognizes new leadership

The Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) today honored four faculty and students from The Ohio State University College of Nursing with awards for excellence in service and research while also recognizing two additional faculty taking on new leadership positions within the organization.

Ohio State’s College of Nursing was well-represented at MNRS’ 46th Annual Research Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois (western suburb of Chicago). Nearly 30 presentations and posters from the college covered relevant and urgent topics across the life-span, from pre-term infants to older adults living with dementia. Several of the presentations aligned directly with the conference’s desired learner outcomes, which included:

  • Explore diversity to foster equity, inclusion, and belonging through nursing research, practice and scholarship
  • Discuss integrating patient and community engagement strategies to ensure a collaborative approach to nursing research and practice
  • Investigate the spectrum of structural racism affecting patients, families, care providers, and communities and develop solutions to improve patient outcomes and provider relationships
  • Ensure delivery of culturally sensitive and relevant Care Delivery Models acknowledging accessibility, desirability, and affordability

Several Ohio State faculty and staff were also honored at a special awards ceremony tonight, including:

  • Cindy Anderson, senior associate dean for academic affairs and educational innovation, received the Distinguished Service Award for demonstrating dedicated service and commitment to the development of the organization and its members. This service has been demonstrated through donated time, influential leadership and sustained service to MNRS. Anderson is the immediate past president of MNRS.
  • Christine Fortney, assistant professor, received the Outstanding Publication Award – Symptom Science RIIG and the Outstanding Publication Award – Palliative and End of Life Care RIIG awards for “Bereaved parents’ perceptions of infant suffering in the NICU,” published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
  • Monicah Karera, who is mentored by faculty member Shannon Gillespie, received the Undergraduate Research Award through the Perinatal, Sexual & Reproductive Health RIIG.
  • Laura Beth Kalvas won the Abstract of Distinction award for “Sleep Disruption and Delirium in Critically Ill Children.”
  • Sharon Tucker, Grayce Sills Endowed Professor in psychiatric-mental health nursing and director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Executive track, was named president-elect of MNRS.
  • Karen O. Moss, assistant professor, was appointed as a member of the MNRS Nominating Committee.

“We feel very strongly that the science we pursue, the knowledge we share and the leadership we provide are all critical elements in transforming health and improving lives across the globe,” said Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer and dean of the College of Nursing. “I am so proud of each and every one of our students and faculty who are sharing their expertise at MNRS and who are acquiring knowledge and insights from their colleagues as they continue dreaming, discovering and delivering a healthier world and a brighter future for all.”

March 29, 2019

Cindy Anderson, PhD, RN, APRN-CNP, FAHA, FNAP, FAAN, The Ohio State University College of Nursing associate professor and associate dean of academic affairs and educational innovation, was installed as the new president of the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) at the 2019 MNRS 43rd Annual Research Conference, March 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. Anderson previously served a one-year term as president-elect.

“I am honored to serve as the president of MNRS.  As a new researcher, MNRS was integral to the launch of my research career, providing the opportunity network with esteemed scientist colleagues throughout the Midwest. The benefits of active engagement in MNRS have continued through the years, providing the opportunity to work together with our members to advance nursing science. I am grateful to have an opportunity to give back to MNRS as president and look forward to supporting the members and the mission.”

The mission of MNRS is to advance science, transform practice and enhance careers through a network of scholars. In her role as president of MNRS, Anderson will direct the association based on the overall mission of MNRS, update and approve strategic plans and develop and approve policies and procedures along with the rest of the Board of Directors.

MNRS focuses on developing scholars, driving science and leading innovation to improve the health of all people. The overarching goal of MNRS is to grow and retain membership, enhance products and services, allocate resources efficiently and enhance MNRS leadership opportunities and development.

Founded in 1975, MNRS provides a place for nurses to collaborate, come together to share ideas and grow the nursing field through innovative research.